About this star:

A binary, brilliant flushed white star marking the Ear of Wheat shown in the Virgin's left hand, in Virgo.

The Romans believed Spica, to be the goddess Ceres.

Spicum, Spigha, Stachys [Latin from Greek stakhus ‘ear of corn’], Arista [Latin, ‘ear of grain’] Aristae Puella [grain maiden] were other Roman names. In Old England it was the Virgin's Spike.

Other titles: inermis Asimec, Acimon, Alaraph, Almucedie "of the Chaldaeans," Alacel; Aschimech inermis, Alaazel, Alazel, Azimon, Alzimon "of the Nubians."

Hazimet Alazel, the alchemists' Alhaiseth, Eltsamecti, Eltsamach, Azimech, Huzimethon.

A "Nubian" title, Eleazalet, that some have said came from Al 'Azalah, "the Hip-bone".

Sunbala; Sunbale; Sumbela; Sumbalet, Sombalet, Sembalet Eleandri; Sunbalon — are from Sunbulah and Al' Adhra', Arabic words synonymous respectively with Spica and Virgo, although some derived them from a Greek word meaning "the Singing Sibyl" (Sibyl who uttered prophesies), of the constellation Virgo.

Early Arabs had a enormous Lion of which part of Virgo formed one of the legs. Spika was Al Hulbah, "the Bristle" or the Calf of the Lion, with Arcturus as the second Calf; others said it was Sak al Asad, the Shin-bone of the Lion.

A still more widely spread native Arabian name for Spika was Al Simak al A'zal, "the Defenceless", "or Unarmed", Simak, i. e. unattended by any near-by star; the other Simak, Arcturus, being armed with a lance, or staff, represented by adjacent stars of Bootes. This star marked the Arabic 12th manzil, Al Simak or Al Zimach (related to the Hebrew word Tsemech), and in early astrology was, like all of Virgo, a sign of unfruitfulness and a portent of injustice to innocence; but later on, of eminence, renown, and riches. [Influences: Causes marital love, cures the sick, helps sailors but hinders journeys by land. With Moon transiting here; dig but do not marry or travel. (Robson)].

It doubtless was this isolated position of Spica that induced the Egyptian Coptic title Khoritos, "Solitary".

Chrysococca called it "the Little Lance-bearer", Arcturus being …; par excellence. And Hyde gave the Hebrew Shibboleth, the Syrian Shebbelta, the Persian Chushe, and the Turkish Salkim, all signifying the "Ear of Wheat"; other names being the Persian Cpnr, the Cparegha of the Avesta, the Sogdian Shaghar and Khorasmian Akhshafarn, all meaning a "Point" (or spike) — i. e. Spica.

The Hindus knew it as Citra, "Bright", their 12th nakshatra, figured as a Lamp, or as a Pearl, with Tvashtar, the Artificer, or Shaper, as its presiding divinity. [Influences: Those born on the lunar day will be mathematicians, surgeons, oculists, weavers, writers, singers, manufacturers of perfumes and dealers in jewels and cloth. With Moon transiting here at birth native will be fond of clothes and flowers of many colors and will have beautiful eyes and limbs (Robson)].

In Babylonia, and representing the whole constellation, it personified the wife of Bel, and as Sa-Sha-Shiru," the Virgin's Girdle", marked the 20th ecliptic asterism of that name, and the lunar asterism Dan-nu, "the Hero of the Sky Furrow". It was also Enmku Tin-tir-Ki, "the Might of the Abode of Life", a common title for Babylon itself.

It is said to have been known at one time in Egypt as the Lute-Bearer. Another Egyptian name was Repa, "the Lord"; and some think that the great "Mena may symbolize Spica, with which star we have seen Min-worship associated."; one of the temples at Thebes, probably dedicated to this Mena, Menat, Menes, Min, or Khem, was oriented to Spica's setting about 3200 B.C.

A temple to this star in Greece erected in 715 B.C with reference to "the Great Diana of the Ephesians". (Allen).

Influence of the constellation:

By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Gimel and the 3rd Tarot Trump "The Empress". (Robson).

Influence of the star:

According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Venus and Mars; and, to Alvidas, of Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. It gives success, renown, riches, a sweet disposition, love of art and science, unscrupulousness, unfruitfulness and injustice to innocence. (Robson).

If rising or culminating: Unbounded good fortune, happiness, ecclesiastical preferment, unexpected honor or advancement beyond native's hopes or capacity. (Robson).

With Fortuna: Great wealth, voluptuous propensities. (Robson).

With Sun: Great and lasting preferment, eminent dignity, immense wealth, great happiness to native's parents and children, help from friends among clergy, favorable for public and legal affairs. If culminating, Church and State preferment. If with Venus and Mars also the native is a potent king obeyed by many people, but subject to many infirmities. (Robson).

With Moon: Gain through inventions, success, wealth and honor from Mercury, Venus or Jupiter people. (Robson).

With Mercury: Neat, tidy, clever, ingenious, favor of clergy and people in authority, gain through investment, responsible position. (Robson).

With Venus: Benefits from friends, social success, false friends of own sex. (Robson).

With Mars: Popular social success, may have good judgment and quick decision or be violent in dispute, rigid, and nearly or quite a fool. (Robson).

With Jupiter: Popular, social success, wealth, ecclesiastical honor and preferment. (Robson).

With Saturn: Apt to be suspicious, sharp or rugged, but does much good, occult interests, good speaker, popular, many friends, gain through legacies but extravagant, good health, favorable for domestic matters. (Robson).

With Uranus: Mediumistic, popular, business connected with ornaments, gain through marriage, fortunate, sudden natural death. (Robson).

With Neptune: Well-born, comfortable surroundings, always sufficiently well off, associated with companies, gain through legacies, favorable for domestic matters, somewhat fast and extravagant, does not live to old age. (Robson).